Please read the rules -Cougar :{)

[El Lobo]

YOU, are not uninformed Tim. THEY just might be full of.....well, ah.....fertilizer component.

Bill

 

[Timstools]

fertilizer component

"fertilizer component"? Oh I see !! Well yes, off course !! I think you may be right there !!!!!!!!! I wanted to say it but I couldnt quite bring myself to it.

Thanks Tim

 

[ea42]

Most real protos that are one of a kinds are that way because they were duds. Say a cutlery has a slew of leftover blades from different models that they want to incorporate into a new knife to get rid of excess inventory. They put them together into some new handles, and realize that it looks terrible. Nothing fits or matches, so they toss the idea. Another one might have some new handles that they were trying out, but realized that they looked terrible, or warped, or cracked, and tossed the idea. On the other hand, the really collectable (and rare) protos are the ones sent in to the cutleries by custom makers who are involved in partnerships. One example I've seen is an D'Alton Holder proto of the millenium series knife. It was much bigger, with more defined blades and more handle detail. A real custom. Once Schrade got the proto they whittled it down some to make it more affordable and cost efficient, but that proto was a beauty. I've also seen the one he sent in to Canal Street for their new bowie, although this time the production model is very close to his design.

Eric

 

[Timstools]

They put them together into some new handles, and realize that it looks terrible. Nothing fits or matches, so they toss the idea

There must be a huge difference then between a prototype on which thousands of subsequent knives are based and other prototypes that never make it into production for some of the reasons you mention.

Full production and consistent sales of the type would be the test of the validity of a prototype. That becomes its real claim to fame. Its the difference between a dream that finds full expression and one that died in the night before morning.

Regards Tim

 

[ea42]

You've got that right Tim, worth it's weight in gold (profits that is). Quite an honor to own one knowing what was on the line at the time of it's development.


Eric

 

[Bob W]

Heck SMKW even distributed a slew of China made 100th Ann. OT's in tins. They were upfront about it but in reality it only adds to the confusion.

Here are the Chinese Taylor-Schrades retrofitted with leftover anniversary shields:

The tang stamp make these easily distinguished from the originals.

 

[Timstools]

Thanks Bob much appreciated and good to here from you!

Its not attractive the way they have done it, looks even a little desperate?

 

[Bob W]

Yep, desperate. I might have bought a couple of shields and extra tins, if they weren't bundled with those Chinese knives that have absolutely nothing to do with Schrade Cutlery or it's anniversary.

The real Old Timers that had those banner shields did not have the Old Timer shield; the banner was alone. There were some "dual-shield" Old Timers that had an anniversary shield and the usual Old Timer shield, but those anniversary shields (as I recall) had small round shields. I also think those "dual-shield" knives were end-of-days products and not a planned production, but since the shields were affixed to knives actually made in 2004 and made by Schrade, they're appropriate and not a complete sham like the knife in the scanned ad above.

 

[Bob W]

Also, in case it isn't readable in the scanned image, that Chinese tang stamp reads:
SCHRADE
HAND MADE